Just under one per cent of the Maltese aged between 15 and 50 suffer from an eating disorder, a survey commissioned by the Malta Community Chest Fund has shown.

The survey carried out among 2,008 respondents showed that eating disorders were more predominant among women than men.

More than half of those interviewed – 57 per cent – binge eat; 34 per cent are anorexic and  13 per cent are bulimic.

Thirty-five per cent of teens aged 15 to 19 suffer from some kind of eating disorder, while men are more prone to be obese than women.

The results were given this afternoon by Neville Calleja, director of the Directorate for Health Information and Research, at the launch of Kenn Ghal Sahhtek. This is an MCCF project that will see the former Sisters Quarters in Mtarfa being transformed into a residential home aimed at offering a holistic approach to treating anorexia, bulimia and obesity.

President George Abela said MCCF, which will fork out a capital expenditure of €2 million to restore and refurbish the premises.

The government, on the other hand, will be budgeting an average €1 million a year to offer all the therapeutic in-care services.

The residence will have 33 beds: 19 dedicated to obesity and 14 to anorexia and bulimia.